title: Combination chemotherapy specifically devised for elderly patients with unfavorable non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: The results of a prospective trial with a specifically devised chemotherapy regimen in elderly patients with unfavorable non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are reported. Between April 1983 and April 1986, 37 consecutive patients 70 years old or more (median age 80) received etoposide and prednimustine (E + P) 100 mg/m2 p.o. for 5 days every 21 days. Thirteen patients were previously treated. Objective response rate in the 35 evaluable patients is 66% with 46% complete response. The objective response rate in the 22 previously untreated patients is nearly 70% with 50% complete response. Median survival is 14 months. The overall toxicity was reasonably acceptable. There were 5% (2 patients) treatment-related deaths, but in an unselected elderly population. We experienced the usefulness of a properly oriented clinical approach to elderly patients with NHL. We suggest that a combination regimen E + P, suitable for oral administration, may be safely employed in elderly patients with unfavorable NHL.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Pathology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zagonel
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Errante
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morassot
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monfardini
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D011238:Prednimustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D011238:Prednimustine